Upper Middle Class comment

My friend Erika told me the my family's not like the typical upper middle class Palo Altan family didn't ring quite right. I agree. So, I'm explaining myself as I explained to her in an e-mail:

Glad you read my blog! I guess I didn't elaborate on that comment, that my family was different from the typical upper middle class family. Not because we're different financially, but I don't feel the "want, want, want; need, need, need" pull that a lot of upper middle class people do. (that's probably because we aren't dirt poor, but anyhow) I'm perfectly happy having what I have and don't strive to get all designer clothing, cosmetics, merchandise, etc. and name brands don't really mean much to me. I agree, sometime there is a guarantee that a brand will last longer or have a higher quality than an off-brand, but I don't stick to brands. I think I was going to write more about that. It has a lot to do with how my mom raised us. She's not a big spender when it comes to clothing. Sometimes she splurges on things, but for the most part, she's a bargain shopper. She used to make her own clothes! My dad, on the other hand, is BIG into brand names stuff. He sticks to Brooks Brothers and other names. I don't consider myself a big spender. When I have to, I'll put the money into it, but I like to think things over before handing over the paper or plastic! I think it's easy for a lot of people in Palo Alto to spend without thinking, because they can afford it, because they feel they have the right to do whatever they want with the money they earn. I guess I'm a little more philosophical when it comes to wealth, even if I don't have an exorbitant bank account myself! I don't know if this holds true if I ever do earn a lot of money, but I'd like to think I would give money away to charity on an annual basis and put money to better use. Who knows? I ramble, I know. Anyway, my two cents.